Feeding mechanism for wrapping machines



May 28, Q 1940.

M. J. MILMOE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Dec. 7, 1936 fill-Ll 19 56 6 I2 '1 a F I 33 a.- 2 ac 4b 2 n v m a I 54' 51 i1 55 g I '3 J T j 55 5 Q 31o L 42. 3\ H o IN V ENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet Michael J. Mykmce A TTOPCLF'YS.

M. J. MILMOE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR WRAPiINGIACHINES May 28, 1940.

Filed Dec. 7. 1936 '3 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. I Miahlfi J. M'Wmag BY:- m

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 28, 1940 UNiTED, STATES FEEDING MECHANISM FOR waarrm monmns 7 Michael J. Milmoe, Glen my... m., mi orto F. B. Redington (30., Chicago, 11].. 'acorporation of Illinois Application December 7, 1936, Serial No. 114,831

31 Claims.

This invention relates to wrapping machines, and particularly to mechanism for feeding a wrapper to a .predetermined position. More specifically, the invention relates to the positioning of an opening tape.

The primary object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for feeding a tape to a predetermined position with respect to the wrapper whereby the tape will be maintained in 10 a taut position throughout its entire travel, and

will be ironed, glued, cut and properly positioned with respect to its co-operating wrapper whereby the package, as it is fed toward wrapping position, will engage the tape and wrapper and cause folding of the tape and wrapper about the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved mechanism for causing tape and wrapper to be fed from opposite directions,

20 causing the cutting of the tape and the wrapper separately, and guiding the tape and wrapper into proper juxtaposition for simultaneously folding about the article to be wrapped.

Still another object of the invention is the pro- 25 vision of means for causing the tape to be held against a glue roll before the tape is out from the spool or roll of tape.

A still further object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for holding the 20 tape in a predetermined position throughout the entire travel of the tape and to normally maintain a tautness on the tape during feeding opera.-

tion.

- A still further object of the invention is to pro- 25 vide a plurality of parts or elements which are correlated and specifically and intermittently timed to perform a sequence of definite steps in the operation of wrapping a package and placing 'an opening tape within the package.

40 Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail plan view of a part of a wrapping machine andembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on the no line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation, with certain parts broken away, showing mechanism for gluing the tape and some of the mechanism for positioning the tape.

(01. 93-2) v s 0 a wrappingmachine and embodying the inventlon. I

Figs-5, 6, .7 and 8 are fragmentary detail views in elevation showing the steps in the'operation ofthe tape feeding and gluing mechanism. '5 Fig. 9 is a detail transverse sectional view on the, line 9-4 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the tape gripper jaws, said jaws being in their open position.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing 10 thev gripper jaws in closed or gripping position.

Fig. 12 is adetail sectional view on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10. Y Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 11. 1

Fig. 14 is a detail view showing some of the mechanism for feeding a package to a predetermined position. Fig. 15 is a'detail sectional view on the line lB-li of Fig. 14. v 1

Fig. 16 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line l6-l8 of Fig.14.

' Fig. 1-7 is a detail perspective view of a package wrapper with the opening tape attached thereto.

Fig. '18 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to Fig. 9 and better illustrating certain of the elements of Fig. 9.

. The wrapping machine to which the invention is applied comprises a frame or other supporting structure I (Fig. 4) upon which there is rotatably mounteda roll of opening tape 2. This opening tape 2 passes over a heater block lw'hich is heated in any convenient manner, such as by a heating element 4 The tape 2 passes over a booster roller 5 and then under a guide pin i where it runs in'an inclined upward direction. to been gaged by a movable gripper element 1, Figs. 3, 9 and 18.

The gripper element I comprises a tape receiving member or bracket 9 which is fixed to a 40 vertically slidable bar 9, Fig.9. The tape receiving member. or bracket I comprises a generally L-shaped main body portion and an L-shaped finger projecting from the main body portion and forming therewith a tape receiving recess I I. A movabletape tensioning member II is pivotally mounted on a pin II and has an upwardly extending finger II. A spring I: mounted on the pin ll urges the finger ll of the member ll into the recess ll of the member 8, and into frictiona1 engagement with the tape 2 to apply a predetermined degree of tension thereto sumcient to retain'the tape therein but insuiiicient to prevent pulling of thetape through the recess It in the tape receivlngmember or bracket 9, Fig. 9. This 2 aaoasos arrangement provides a spring tension on the lower gripper and of course on the tape which is pulled through this gripper member. The tape 2, therefore, passes from the underside of the pin 6, Fig. 4. to the underside of the rounded or cammed surface l6 of the tensioning member l9 of the gripper element 1 and then extends upwardly and vertically through the recess l4 in the tape receiving member 8, Fig. 3.

A tape cutting knife I1 comprises a knife blade 19 which operates against a knife anvil 19, Fig. 1. The knife blade I8 is yieldably mounted on a stud or pin 29 by a spring 29' (Fig. 2) encircling said pin. The stud or pin 29 is carried by the knife carrier or lever 2|. The knife carrier or lever 2| is fixed to a rock shaft 22, and a lever 23 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 22. The lever 23 is operated by a link 24, Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, fastened to an arm 25 of a bell crank mounted on a shaft 26, Fig. 4. The other arm 21 of the bell crank carries at its free end a cam follower which engages a grooved cam 28 mounted on a rotatable shaft 29. Rotative movement of the shaft 29 and cam 28 will, in an evident manner, cause rocking movement of the shaft 22 and consequent operation of the knife 11.

The slide 9, Fig. 2, is adapted to reciprocate vertically, there being a link 39, Fig. 2, fixed to the slide bar and connected to an arm 31 of a second bell crank pivoted on a shaft 26. The other arm of this second bell crank has a cam follower (not shown) at its free end and this cam follower engages a grooved cam 32 fixed on the shaft 29. Thus, during rotation of the shaft 29 the slide bar 9 is given vertical reciprocating movement.

A slide bar 33, Figs. 2, 9 and 18, is located ad jacent the slide bar 9 and is provided with a tape gripper 34 having spaced jaws 35 and 36, Figs. 10 and 11. The slide 33 has connected thereto a link 31 connected to an arm 38 of a third bell crank pivoted on the shaft 26. The other arm of this third bell crank has a cam follower (not shown) at its free end and this cam follower engages a grooved cam 39 fixed on the shaft 29. Thus, rotative movement of the shaft 29 will cause vertical reciprocation of the slide 33 and consequently raise and lower the gripper member 34.

A third slide member 49 is arranged adjacent the slide bar 33 and has a link 4| fastened thereto. The link 41 is connected to an arm 42 of a fourth bell crank pivoted on the shaft 26. -The other arm of this fourth bell crank has a cam follower (not shown) at its free end and this cam is provided with a tail piece 44 whichisadanted to engage a recess .45 provided in the finger operating slide element 49, Figs. 12 and 13. The jaws 35 and 36 are mounted on a shaft or stud 46 and are urged into closed position by any suitable spring means 46'. The shaft 46 is carried by the gripper slide bar 33.

The cams 32, 39 and 43 are of the proper shape and configuration, and the links 39, 31 and 4| are of the proper length and have the proper connection with their respective slides 9, 33 and 49 so that the slides will operate in a predetermined sequence.

Assume that at the beginning of a cycle of movement the tape grippers 1 and 34 are in the position shown in Fig. 8 with the free end of the tape 2 projecting slightly above the upper edge of the gripper 1. In this position the jaws 36 and 33 of the gripper 34 will be in the open position, as shown in Fig. 10. The tail piece 44 of the jaw member 39 and the notch 46 in the bar 49 will occupy the relative position shown in Fig. 12. Upon rotation of the shaft 29 the cams 39 and 43 will cause the bars 33 and 49 to move downwardly in unison until the free ends of the tape pro ject between the jaw members 33 and 36, as

"shown in Fig. 5. The bar 49 then moves upwardtape gripper 34, the tape gripper 1 moves downwardly along the tape (as shown in Fig. 7) until the tape gripper 1 occupies the position shown in Fig. 3. The gripper 1 having reached its lowest position, suitable mechanism, hereinafter to be described, operates against the tape at an intermediate point to deflect it laterally into engagement with a gluing mechanism to thereby apply a spot of adhesive to the tape.

The adhesive having been applied and the tapedeflecting mechanism having returned to its original position, the gripper element 1 again moves upwardly to its original position, the downward and upward reciprocation of the gripper 1 being accomplished during the upward movement of the gripper 34.

When the gripper 34 has reached its upper position, the knife 11 is operated to sever the tape and it should be noted that (as shown in Fig. 2) the knife I1 is located a slight distance above the upper edge of the gripper 1 when said gripper is in its extreme upper position.

As hereinafter described, the tape 2 at its instant of severance is interposed between the package to be wrapped and the wrapper there fore and is in partial engagement with the package within a guide hereinafter to be described. Consequently when'the severing has been accomplished, the bar 49 begins its downward movement, moving relatively to the bar 33 until the tail piece 44 has been forced out of the notch 45 in the bar 49, thereby opening the jaw members 35 and 36 of the gripper 34 and releasing the tape therefrom. a Thfetape feeding means has then completed a -;cycle ofmovements. to the original position shown in Fig; 8,in which position the bar 49 behind the bar 33 and the latter bar are again moving down:

wardly in unison.

From the mechanism so far described, lengths in proper position relative to the wrapper 59 and to hold the tape 2 against the wrapper 59, it is desirable to apply a small amount of glue to the tape 2 during the feeding operation of the tape. Therefore, gluing means are provided; and these gluing means comprise a glue pot 52, Figs. 3, 5,

6, 'l and 8. The glue pot II has mounted ther a glue racelI-mounted on a shaft 94.

A cam shaft II is operatively supported in a part of the wrapping machine frame and carries a cam 64, Fig. 3, which operates an arm or lever 61 pivoted at 59 to a part of the frame. Shaft 55. carries a gear which meshes with a ear on a driven shaft Lever 51 has mounted thereon a cam roller 59 which constantly engages the cam 59, therebeing a spring 94 urging the arm or lever 51 toward the cam and keeping the cam roller 59 against the cam 54. Thus, during rotation of the shaft 55 the arm or lever 91 will be caused to oscillate about its pivot 58. The lever arm 51 carries a pinil which is adapted to be moved toward the glue race 59, Fig. 3, and move the tape 2 against the race and, therefore, put a spot of glue on the tape before it is out free from the balance of the roll. The shaft 55' is driven bya chain 62 from a sprocket 93 on the main drive shaft 29. The chain 62' also operates the booster 5 by means of a suitable sprocket carried on the outer end of the shaft upon which said booster is mounted. The glue race 53 is rotated by a gear carried on the outer end of the shaft 54 and meshes with the gear carried on the outer end of the shaft 55. The arm 51 operates in timed relationship with respect to the movement of the grippers 'I and 34 as heretofore stated and causes the tape 2 to be swung or deflected against the glue race 54 at the desired proper time to provide a glue spot 94, Fig. 3, on said tape 2. v

The wrapping machine is provided with means for feeding a package 95, Figs. 4 and 14, so as to have the wrapper 59 with the tape 2 applied thereon wrapped about the package. The construction for feeding the package comprisesany suitablemeans (not shown) for feeding a package into a'space 66 of a feed wheel 61. The feed wheel 91 comprises spaced fingers 99 and 69, one of which is urged toward the other by means of a spring 10. The wheel rotates in timed relationship with the movement of the tape and the knife ll until the package carried in the space 96 is moved to the package "discharging position shown in Figs. 4 and 14, at which time pusher arms II operate to push thepackage 65 through the wrapper and tape and into the position shown in Fig. 14. As the package reaches this position the tape 2 is severed by the knife I! and released by the gripper 34 in the manner heretofore described.

A tape guide 49 (Figs. 14 to 16) provides means for insuring the proper positioning of the tape relative to the wrapper and the package as the package is moved from the feed wheel 91 into .the receiving jaws 12 of a discharge wheel or wrapping turret II. The discharge jaws 12 comprise spaced fingers l4 and 15, one of which is urged toward the other bya spring 19. The guide '49 comprises an angulated member secured in tion with a tapering recess orguide groove receiving and guiding-the lower portion of the tape 2, as clearly shown in'Fig. 14. The side walls of the'guide groove taper inwardly to the base of the groove as shown in Fig. 16, and at the lower edge of the flange'49, in alinement centrally of said guide groove, a tape receiving recess is provided to permit the tape to mid about the package and to be maintained at a predetermined distance from the edge of the package as the package is'fed from the feed wheelv 41 to the wrapping mined position, at which time other mechanism (not shown) operates to completely finish the folding operation. It can be readily seen and understood that when the pusher arms ll push the package 69 from the position shown in Fig. 4 into the receiving jaws 12, it is pushed through the wrapper 49 where the wrapper and package ill be received in between spaced fingers l4 and The invention comprises the feeding of a piece of tape within the wrapper to permit the wrapper to'be easily and quickly removed from the package. The wrapper is loosened or torn from the package merely by gripping the extending free end of the tape (Fig. 17) and pulling this free end and causing the package to open. The tape is maintained taut in all positions during the feedin gluing and cutting operation and is moved upwardly to proper positionwith respect to its co-operating wrapper. By moving the tape upwardly after which it is'cut in the desired length, the tape is'very easily and readily positioned. It is easier to pull the tape into position than it would be by trying to push it against the free end. Furthermore, the tape isironed by the gripper l and the heater block 9 during its travel, and by maintaining the tape taut it is more readillly :nd easily positioned and more readily han- The invention provides means'for feeding the tape properly with respect to its co-operating wrapper as well as providing mechanism which positively and definitely operates in proper timed relationship. The parts of the present invention are properly correlated and function at regular predetermined sequences. The various elements are simple in construction can be readily and easily applied, and are not liable to' get out of order. 1

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding tapeto a predetermined position, gripper means to pull the tape to a predetermined position, a second gripper means having a resilient tape engaging member for tensioning and maintaining the tape taut during the feeding operation, and means for applying adhesive to the tape;

2. In a wrapping machine, means for. feeding tape to a predetermined position, gripper means to pull the tape to a'predetermined position and maintainthe tape taut during the feed+ ingoperation, means for gluing the tape while it is in said taut position, and means for cutting predetermined pieces from the tape'at'predeter minedintervals. g 7

3. ma wrapping machine, means for feeding tape to a predetermined position, gripper means ation, means for gluing the tape while it is in said taut position, means for cutting predetermined pieces from the tape at predetermined intervals, and means for feeding the cut tape to a predetermined position.

4. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding tape to a predetermined position, gripper means to pull the tape to a predetermined position and maintain the tape taut during the feeding operation, means for gluing the tape while it is in said taut position, means for cutting predetermined pieces from the tape at predetermined intervals, means for feeding the cut tape to a predetermined position, and means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position adjacent the tape and means for causing the tapeto engage the wrapper.

5. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding tape to a predetermined position, means to maintain the tape taut during the feeding operation, means for gluing the tape while it is being fed, means for cutting predetermined pieces from the tape at predetermined intervals, means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position adjacent the tape, and means for feeding a package transversely of the wrapper and tape to cause the, glued tape to become adhesively attached to the wrapper and partially fold the wrapper and tape about the package.

6. The combination with a wrapping machine having means for feeding a wrapper in a predetermined position, of feeding means therefor comprising means for feeding a tape in an opposite direction to the feeding movement of the wrapper, a heater element, and means for causing the tape to be fed over the heating element to straighten and iron out the tape.

7. Tape machanism comprising a plurality of slidable members, gripper means attached to one of said members to engage and feed thetape, a guide element carried by another said slidable member to maintain the tape taut during feeding, and means carried by a third of said slidable members for controlling operation of the gripping means.

8. Tape mechanism comprising a plurality of slidable members, gripper means attached to one of said members to engage and feed the tape, a guide element carried by another said slidable member to maintain the tape taut during feeding, and means for cutting the tape when said gripper means is moved by its associated slidable member into a predetermined position.

9. Tape mechanism comprising a plurality of slidable members, gripper means attached to one of said members to'engage and feed the tape, a guide element carried by another said slidable member to maintain the tape taut during feeding, means caried by a third of said slidable members for controlling operation of the gripping means, gluing means, and means for deflecting a portion of said tape during feeding into engagement' with said gluing means to apply glue to said tape.

10. Tape mechanism for wrapping machines comprising a plurality of slidable members, a first tape gripper element operatively associated with one of said slidable members, means for moving one of said slidable members to cause the tape to be moved by said gripper element to a predetermined position, a second gripper element on a second of said slidable members and forming a guide for said tape during feeding of said tape by said first gripper element, means for moving the second slidable member to shift the second gripper element away from the first gripper element, and means carried by a third of said slidable members for causing said first gripper element to close and grip the end of the tape when said gripper elements are in juxtaposition, and to release the tape when said gripper elements are relatively remote and said'tape has reached a predetermined position.

11. In a wrapping machine having means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, gripper means for feeding tape to a predetermined position in juxtaposition to said wrapper, means for feeding an article to be wrapped into a predetermined position in juxtaposition to said tape and said wrapper, wrapping mechanism, means for moving said article transversely of said tape and wrapper to engage and feed the tape and wrapper with said article into said wrapping mechanism, means for restraining said gripping means against movement during movement of the article into engagement with the tape and for thereafter releasing said gripping means, and means for guiding said tape and preventing lateral movement thereof relative to the article during continued movement of the article with the tape and wrapper into said wrapping mechanism.

12. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means'for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionaly to engage the tape to form a tensioning guide therefor, means for moving the first pair of gripper v jaws away from the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, and means operative when said first pair of gripper jaws has reached said position for moving the jaws of said first pair away from each other to release the tape.

13. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward eachother to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to form a tensioning guide therefor; means for moving the first pair of gripper jaws away from the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, means for thereafter severing a predetermined length from said tape, and means subsequently operative for moving the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws away from each other to release the tape.

14. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to form a tensioning guide therefor, means for simultaneously moving said pairs of gripper jaws in opposite directions to feed said tape to a predetermined position and to maintain said tape taut during such feeding movement, and means operative when said tape has reached said predetermined position for moving the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws away from each other to release the tape.

15. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a first and a second pair of pper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causingthe jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to form a tensioning guide therefor, means for moving the first pair of gripper jaws away from the second pair of gripper jaws gripper jaws from said tape when said tape has to feedthe tape to a predetermined position, means for applying adhesive to the tape during feeding thereof to said position, and means operative when .said first pair of 'gripperjaws has.

reached said position for moving the jaws of said first pair away from each other to release the tape.

. 16. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each-other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionallyto engage the tape to form a tensioning guide there- V to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to form a tensioning guide therefor, means for moving the first pair of gripper jaws away from the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, means movable in unison with and relative to the first pair of gripper jaws for controlling the opening and closing of said gripper jaws to cause.

said jaws to clamp the tape when said first and second pairs of gripper jaws are in relative juxtaposition, and to cause said first pair of gripper jaws to release the tape when the tapehas been moved to said predetermined position.

18. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a pair of reciprocable members; a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, the first of said pair of gripper jaws being mounted on one of said reciprocable members for movement relative to the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, means comprising the other of said reciprocable members for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween when said pairs of jaws are in relative juxtaposition and for moving the jaws of said first pair away from each other to release the tape when said tape has reached said predetermined position, means for causing the jaws of the other pair to engage the tape to forma guide therefor during its feeding movement, and means for reciprocating said reciprocable members in unison and relative to each other to open and close the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws in proper timedrelation.

l9. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, the first pair of gripper jaws being operatively secured to one of said reciprocable members and the second-pair of gripper jaws being operativelysecured to the-other of said reciprocable members, a third reciprocable member for controlling the opening and closing of the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the'tape to form a guide therefor, and means for moving said reciprocable members in proper timed relation to cause the jaws of the first pair, of. gripper jaws to clamp the tape therebetween, to feed said tape to a predetermined position, to release said first pair of:

reached said predetermined position, and to Q move said second pair of'gripper jaws opposite to the direction of feeding of the tape during feeding thereof to maintain said tape in a taut condition during the V entire feeding movement of the tape.

20. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a re-,

ciprocable member, a pair of gripper jaws carried by said member, means for moving the jaws toward each other when said reciprocable member reaches one limit of its movement .to clamp a free end of the tape therebetween, tape severing means, means for operating said reciprocable member and said severing means in propertimed relation to sever a predetermined length of tape when said reciprocable member reaches its other I limit of movement; and means for moving said gripper jaws away from each other following the operation of said severing means.

v 21. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a pair of gripper jaws carried by one of said members, said other reciprocable member having means to control the opening and closing of said gripper jaws,

means for moving. said reciprocable members in unison until one of said members reaches its limit of movement and for thereafter moving the other of said members relative to the said one -member to. close said jaws and clamp the tape therebetween; for thereafter moving the said reciprocable members in unison to the opposite limit of movement of said one reciprocable member whereby to'feed the tape to a predetermined position, and for thereafter moving the said other reciprocable member relative to-the said one reciprocablev member to release the jaws from said tape.

22. Tape feeding mechanism comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a pair of gripper jaws carried by one of said members, said other reciprocable member having means to control the opening and closing of said gripperjaws, means for moving said reciprocable members .in unison until one of said members reaches its limit of movement and for thereafter moving the other of said members relative to the said one member to close said jaws and clamp the tape therebetween; for thereafter moving the said reciprocable members in unison to the opposite limit of movement of said one reciprocable member whereby to feed the tape to a predetermined position, and for 'theafter moving the said other reciprocable member relative to the said one reciprocable member to release the jaws from said tape, tape severing means, and means for operat- 1 ing said tape severing means in proper timed relation to said reciprocable members to sever a predetermined length of tape while the same her, a second reciprocable member forcontrolling the opening and closing of said gripper jaws and operable when the first reciprocable member is at one limit of its movement to clamp a tape therebetween, and operable when said first reciprocable member is at its other limit of movement to open said jaws and release said tape,'means for feedingan article to be wrapped into juxtaposition to said tape. and said wrapper, wra

ping mechanism fol receiving said article, said tape and said wrapper, means for moving said article from said feeding means transversely of and into engagement with the tape and wrapper to move said tape and wrapper with said article into said wrapping mechanism, and means for operating said article moving means and said second reciprocable member relative to the first reciprocable member to cause said article-to engage said time before said gripper jaws are operated to release the tape, I

21 m a wrapping machine, means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, means for. feeding tape to a predetermined position in juxtaposition to said wrapp said tape feeding means comprising a reciprocable member, a pair of gripper jaws carried by said reciprocable member, a second reciprocable member for controlling the opening and closing of said gripper jaws and operable when thefirst reciprocable member is at one limit of its movement to clamp a tape therebetween, and operable when said first reciprocable member is at its other limit of movement to open said jaws and release said tape, means for feeding an article to be wrapped into juxtaposition to said tape and said wrapper, wrapping mechanism for receiving said article, said tape and said wrapper, means for moving said article from said feeding means transversely of and into engagement with the tape and wrapper to move said tape and wrapper with said article into said wrapping mechanism, means for operating said article moving means and said second reciprocable member relative to the first reciprocable member to cause said article to engage said tape before said gripper jaws are operated to release the tape, and means for applying adhesive to a portion of said tape during the feeding thereof whereby when said tape is engaged by said article it will be forced thereby into adhesive engagement with said wrapper.

25. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding a wrapper, means for feeding tape to said wrapper comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the a wrapper to a predetermined position, means for feeding tape to said wrapper and comprising a first and a second pair of gripper jaws, means for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween, means for causing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to forma tensioning guide therefor, means for moving the first pair of gripper jaws away from the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, means movable in unison with and relative to the first pair of gripper jaws for controlling the opening and closing of said gripper jaws to cause said jaws to clamp the tape when said first and second pairs of gripper jaws are in relative juxtaposition, and to cause said am pair of sewer jaws to release the tape when the tape has been'moved to said predetermined position.

' 27. In a wrapping machine. means for feeding the second pair of gripper jaws to feed the tape to a predetermined position, means comprising the other of said reciprocable members for moving the jaws of the first pair toward each other to clamp the tape therebetween when said pairs of jaws are in relative juxtaposition and for moving the jaws of said first pair away from each otherto release the tape when said tape has reached said predetermined position, means for causing the jaws of the other pair to engage the tape to form a guidetherefor during its -feeding movement. and means for reciprocating said reciprocable members in unison and relative to each other to open and close the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws in proper timed relation.

28. In a wrapping machine, means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, means for feeding tape to said wrapper and comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a. first and a second pair of gripper laws, the first pair of gripper jaws being operatively' secured to one .of said reciprocable members and the second pair of gripper jaws being operatively secured to the other of said reciprocable members, a third reciprocable member for controlling the opening and closing of the jaws of said first pair of gripper jaws, means forcausing the jaws of the other pair frictionally to engage the tape to form a guide therefor, and means for moving said reciprocable members in proper timed relation to cause the jaws of the first pair of gripper jaws to clamp the tape therebetween to feed said tape to a predetermined position, to release said first pair of gripper jaws from said tape when said tape has reached said predetermined position. and to move said second pair of gripper jaws opposite to the direction of feeding of the tape during feeding thereof to maintain said tape in a taut condition during the entire feeding movement of the tape..

29. A wrapping machine comprising mechanism for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, mechanism for feeding tape to the wrapper and including a reciprocable member, a pair of gripper jaws carried by said member, means for moving the jaws toward each other when said reciprocable member reaches one limit of its movement to clamp a free end of the tape therebetween, tape severing means, means for operating said reciprocable member and said severing means in proper timed relation to sever a predetermined length of tape when said reciprocable member reaches its other limit of movement, and means for moving said gripper jaws away from each other following theoperation of said severing means.

30. In a wrapping machine, mechanism for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, mechanism for feeding tape to a predetermined position and comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a pair of gripper jaws carried by one of said-members, said other reciprocable member having means to control the opening and closing of said gripper jaws, means for moving said reciprocable members in unison until one of said members reaches its limit of movement and for thereafter moving the other of said members relative to the said one member to close said jaws and clamp the tape therebetween; for thereafter moving the said reciprocable members in unison to the opposite limit of movement 0! said one reciprocable member whereby to feed the tape to a predetermined position, and for thereafter moving the said other reciprocable member relative to the said one reciprocable member to release the jaws from said tape.

31. In a wrapping machine having means for feeding a wrapper to a predetermined position, and means for feeding tape to a predetermined position so as to be applied to said wrapper and comprising a pair of reciprocable members, a pair of gripper jaws carried by one of said members, said other reciprocable member having means to control the opening and closing oi said gripper Jaws, means for moving said reciprocable members in unison until one of said members reaches its limit of movement and for thereafter moving the other of said members relative to the said one member to close said jaws and clamp the tape therebetween; for thereafter moving the said reciprocable members in unison to the opposite limit of movement of said one reciprocable member whereby to feed the tape to a predetermined position, and for there after moving the said other reciprocable member relative to the said one reciprocable member to release the jaws from said tape, tape severing means, and means for operating said tape severing means in proper timed relation to said reciprocable members to sever a predetermined length of tape while the same is held by said gripper jaws.

' MICHAEL J. MJLMOE. 

